Month: October 2017

CHICAGO, IL – The use of Genie Lift is now on site at the Shrine helping the workers reach those high areas. Scaffolding will still be used at the far east and west walls but the lift will be able to reach almost everything else. Scaffolding has been installed on the far east wall for tuckpointing.

Tuckpointing is the method of repairing weathered joints in old masonry. The joints are cut or raked and then wet mortar is placed in the joint.

CHICAGO, IL – Demolition of the Organ Loft was done last week to provide more access for the installation of the steel. The existing loft construction was severely damaged in the fire and after being open to the elements for two years, it was unsafe and had to be removed. No worries, the entire area was digitally scanned last year so it can be reconstructed to be better than new!

CHICAGO, IL – Enjoy a unique look at Open House Chicago 2017 at the Shrine! Visitors were given the opportunity to take a hard hat tour of the Shrine and see its restoration progress up close. We are happy to announce that despite the down pour of rain on Day 1 of Open House Chicago, 525 people braved the unfavorable weather conditions and came out to #SeeTheShrine during Chicago Architecture Foundation​’s Open House Chicago on October 14th & 15th!! God blessed us and our visitors with an hour of beautiful blue skies on Day 2 to close out the weekend.

Chicago, Illinois (October 11, 2017) – The National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, announced the acceptance of Shrine of Christ the King as one of 17 congregations nationwide to participate in a national grant-making program that supports capital building projects at historic houses of worship. Launched last year with grants totaling $14 million from the Indiana-based Lilly Endowment Inc., the National Fund will offer planning grants, professional services, and capital grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 to a minimum of 50 congregations over four years.

Chad Martin, Director of the National Fund, says that Shrine of Christ the King was well positioned for acceptance into this year’s cohort, for which over 220 congregations applied. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to be a part of this major preservation effort, a project to save a building rooted deeply in historic Catholic architecture. The story of the Shrine re-enlivening this sacred place as an asset for the community, and persevering despite two major fires in recent years is important for Chicago and for the country.”

The Shrine will use awarded funds to complete Phase One of development work after a 3-alarm fire in 2015 turned the 1928 structure into ruins. After previous decades of saving the building from demolition, preservationists and residents have rallied to rebuild the last Catholic church in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side.

“Because of the National Fund, we will be able to complete the roof installation on this Chicago landmark,” says Shrine Rector Canon Matthew Talarico. “It’s the first step in getting us home in the Shrine building.”

The final grant amount will be determined upon the completion of the technical support parts of the program — including training and project consultation.

The complete list of National Fund awardees for the 2017-18 program year include the following:

About The National Fund for Sacred Places
The National Fund for Sacred Places is a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. www.fundforsacredplaces.org

About Partners for Sacred Places
Partners for Sacred Places helps congregations and others with a stake in older religious properties make the most of them as civic assets in ways that benefit people of all faiths and of no faith. Learn more at sacredplaces.org

About The National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, protects significant places representing our diverse cultural experience by taking direct action and inspiring broad public support. www.savingplaces.org

For more information, contact the following:
In order to set up media interviews with the Shrine Rector, Rev. Canon Matthew Talarico, please contact Jacqueline Lee at shrineoutreach@gmail.com

CHICAGO, IL –Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) was on site yesterday to inspect the southwest corner of the Shrine. During the fire, this corner (shown below) was badly damaged and unstable stone was removed shortly after the fire for protection from falling. WJE inspected the remaining stone and brick by using a hammer test to check for structural integrity. In another area a metal detector was used to find the steel column embedded in the brick.

CHICAGO, IL – As we Commemorate the 2nd Anniversary of the 2015 fire at the Shrine on October 7th, we are now able to update you on our adjusted construction schedule:

– Steel shop drawings have been approved and the materials to build the steel are being procured

– Fabrication of the steel to begin middle of October

– Steel roof framing will start erection early to mid-November

– Roof installation will begin at the beginning of the new year, January 2018

– Work will continue through the winter depending on good working conditions… prayers please!

– Critical Masonry work will continue throughout the steel setting process and will finish up in February after the roof has been completed.

Stay tuned for information regarding a recent development in the Shrine’s fundraising campaign. In the meantime, please notice our updated fundraising thermometer at the bottom of the ShrineLandmark.org Home Page which has reached $2.18 Million of our $3 Million goal for Phase 1!

CHICAGO, IL – Brick has been removed at the southwest corner of the building, similar reconstruction to be done in this area as other parapets. New brick will build the wall back up then a bond beam will be installed on top to provide support to the wall.